Renewable Energy Zone information for developers

Queensland's approach to Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) is different to other jurisdictions. 

Queensland is adopting a distinct approach to Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) to achieve its renewable energy targets. By 2035, an additional 22GW of wind and solar power will be connected through REZs. Powerlink is focused on developing these zones efficiently to maximise capacity and system strength while keeping costs low.

Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024

The Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Act 2024, enacted in April 2024, introduces significant changes aimed at maximising community benefits, local input, and coordinated development within Queensland’s Renewable Energy Zones (REZs). The Act establishes a special access regime for REZ infrastructure, which means that REZ infrastructure won’t be open access and instead there will an eligibility criterion applicable to connection applications.

This approach ensures that the development of REZs is both sustainable and aligned with local needs.

Queensland's REZ Model

Queensland is using a market-led REZ approach, where Powerlink collaborates with renewable energy companies to identify projects of a size and maturity to drive efficiency. Renewable energy companies largely fund these projects ensuring a fairer and more appropriate allocation of cost and risks to landholders, while benefiting from a more streamlined connection process and reduced costs.

This will promote the appropriate allocation of risk and costs.

Key principles include:

• supporting connection of new generation at locations with high resource quality, relatively close to the transmission network
• using existing network capacity
• developing REZs in a scale-efficient way to maximise hosting capacity and system strength at lowest cost
• reduced individual proponent connection costs
• simplicity and transparency in the connection process
• clear and consistent community engagement requirements
• aggregated Generator Performance Standards (GPS) methodology
• speed and ease of connections.

Each REZ in Queensland will be tailored to local conditions, such as geography and resource availability, ensuring the best fit for the community and the environment

Engaging with energy proponents and the wider market

In 2024, we began what we see as a journey of ongoing engagement with energy proponents on Queensland REZs.

In July 2024 we sought developer feedback on Queensland REZ design through a discussion paper.

A report summarising respondents views is available below and is informing future information sessions planned for 2025. 

Summary of key insights from consultation

REZ management plans

As the REZ Delivery Body, Powerlink will create REZ management plans (RMP) and present them to the Minister for consideration when deciding to declare a REZ for public consultation. The RMP will stipulate the REZ capacity, target technology and access principles.

They will also outline expectations for community engagement and how projects’ environmental and technical viability will be assessed, such as:

• ability to demonstrate good community engagement and social licence to operate
• environmental, commercial and technical viability
• developer approval status.

Powerlink will continue to work closely with renewable energy companies on opportunities aligned to REZ development, through planned engagement activities.

REZ Roadmap 

The Queensland Government has released a REZ Roadmap outlining how the state will connect 22GW of renewable energy to meet clean energy demands. The roadmap provides transparency on future REZ locations, aiding long-term planning.

REZ Updates

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